Pakistan–Russia relations

Pakistan–Russia relations or Russo-Pakistani relations refers to the bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Russian Federation. The Soviet Union and Pakistan first established the diplomatic and bilateral relations on 1 May 1948.[1] On May 1, 2018, Pakistan celebrated the 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with Russia.[2]

Pakistan–Russia relations

Pakistan
Russia

For the most of the Cold War, the Soviet Union's relations with Pakistan have seen ups and downs during the different periods in the history of Pakistan. In 1947 to the 1950s, the Soviet Union enjoyed relatively healthy and strong relations with Pakistan when it was under civilian control, but they went ultimately cold soon after the US-backed 1958 military coup d'état although attempts to warm the relations were made after the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war. In the mid 1970s, relations were quickly improved and warmed.. However, in the 1980s, relations began to deteriorate again, and during the Soviet-Afghan War, Pakistan played a key role going against the Soviet Union by supplying FIM-92 Stinger missiles to the Mujahideen backed by the aid of the United States. The Stinger Missiles played a key role by accurately shooting down Soviet Helicopters, which nevertheless killed thousands of Soviet Air Force troops. Pakistan is credited for playing a key role for allying and supporting The West during this time period of the Cold War. In response to ongoing Soviet support to communist Afghanistan regarding the Durand Line issue during the late 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan began to support Mujahideen rebels attempting to overthrow the Soviet-backed communist regime and was later aided by the United States, United Kingdom, China and Saudi Arabia. This led to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. Due to the condemnation of Soviet actions in Afghanistan, Pakistan was one of the 80 total countries that boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics scheduled in Moscow.

In recent years ties between Russia and Pakistan have warmed as a countermeasure to warming ties between India and the United States, the two countries carried out their first-ever joint military drills in 2016 despite Indian requests to postpone due to the Uri attack.[3][4] Pakistan and Russia signed an agreement for the North-South gas pipeline from Lahore to Karachi,[5] and reached a price accord by December 2016.[6] Pakistan has also granted Russia access to a warm water port in the Arabian sea Gwadar Port.[7]

Historical relations
See also: Peshawar Conspiracy Cases and Socialism in Pakistan

Soviet relations with Pakistan (then part of the British Raj) dated back to 1922 after the Bolshevik Revolution. From 1922–27, people who entered from the Soviet Union into the territory (now Pakistan) held by the British Empire, attempted to start a communist revolution against the British Indian Empire. The series of coups known as Peshawar Conspiracy Cases; the British Empire was terrified after the intelligence on attempted communist revolution in India were revealed to authorities. From 1947–50 and 1965–69, the trade, educational, and cultural exchanges between two countries increased. But the Soviet efforts were undermined by the Soviet Union by itself when Soviet criticism of Pakistan's position in the 1971 war with India weakened bilateral relations, and many people of Pakistan believed that the August 1971 Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Peace and Cooperation encouraged India invasion of East Pakistan. Subsequent Soviet arms sales to India, amounting to billions of dollars on concessional terms, reinforced this argument. The USSR also kept vetoing every resolution regarding the East Pakistan situation that Pakistan brought to the United Nations.

Relations with Soviet Union: 1947–1991

Democratic governments (1947–1958)
Main article: Pakistan–Soviet Union relations
See also: Soviet-style economic planning in Pakistan, Communism in Pakistan, and Pakistan Communist Party

The Soviet Union–Pakistan relations (Russian: Союз Советских Социалистических Республик -Пакистан) dated back to 1948 when Moscow directed a farewell message to then-Prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan. Pakistan gained independence during the penultimate times of cold war, and the Russian military involvement in Afghanistan had a long history, going back to Tsarist times in the so-called "Great Game" between Russia and Great Britain.[8]

Pakistan cannot afford to wait. She must take her friends where she finds them...!

— Liaquat Ali Khan calling the Soviet Union and China., [9]

According to the studies conducted by the Institute of Strategic Studies (ISS), the Soviet Union did not welcomed the partition of Bengal and Punjab, fluctuating from cool to antagonistic and hostile relations.[8] Moscow gave vehement criticism to United Kingdom for partitioning the region, regarded as the "Divide and rule strategy of foreign policy of Great Britain, and had earlier labeled the Muslim League as a tool of the British, from its very inception.[8] Joseph Stalin and officials at Moscow did not send any congratulatory message to Governor-General Jinnah—founder of Pakistan.[8][10][11] Rather the Soviet Union extended relations after the death of Jinnah, after sending the invitation to Prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan on April 1948.[8] During the 1947 war, Soviet Union remained neutral non-committal attitude, while the Western countries moved the Kashmir dispute to United Nations Security Council, to settle the dispute.[8] The Status quo was more acceptable to India, not by Pakistan, initially influence Moscow to vote in favor of India in 1947.[8] During 1947–1953, Pakistan was an early member of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) facing the challenging issues involving the economic default, internal unrest, challenges in foreign policy, constitutional crises, and the problems at the Constituent Assembly after the death of Jinnah.[8] Initially, Pakistan waited to see if any nation was willing to help the country to re-build its massive military and economical aid, and leading bureaucrat at this time, Sir Firoz Ali Khan had revealed that:

If the Hindus give (us) and Pakistan, then the Hindus are her best friends. If the British give it to her then the Brits are our best friends. If neither will give it to us the freedom..... Then the Russia is our best friend....

— Firoze Ali Khan, 1946, source[12]

In April 1948, at the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Far East, Pakistan's foreign officers of Pakistan announced that "she (Pakistan) would accept aid from any source", but the Soviets did not respond to that request.[8] In 1948, Prime minister Ali Khan made several attempts to Soviet Union to established the relations, but Soviet remained quiet. On April 1948, Foreign minister Sir Zafarullah Khan held talks with Deputy Foreign minister Andrei Gromyko, subjecting the diplomatic relation.[13] During this time, Pakistan saw relations with the Soviet Union from the prism of relations with India just as these days it sees ties with the United States.[13]

There are important divergences of outlook between Pakistan, with its Islamic background, and the Soviet Union with its background of Marxism which is atheistic.... Pakistan had noticed the subservience which was forced upon the allies of the Soviet Union... Furthermore, there was the question whether Russia could supply the aid, both material and technical, which Pakistan so urgently needed...

— Pakistan Institute of International Affairs, 1950, [13]

However, the policy was changed after Soviet Union witnessed two events particularly forcing them to respond to Pakistan when India decided to remain within the Commonwealth Nations, it was a clear sign that India was leaning towards the Western countries under the U.S. auspices.[13] The second event was the Indian premier Jawaharlal Nehru's announcement to pay the state visit to the United States on May 7, 1949. To a reaction, Soviet Union extended an invitation to Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, in 1949 to visit Moscow, becoming the first prime minister from the Commonwealth of Nations to visit the communist country, but Soviet Union herself did not materialized the dates or the plans.[13] Instead, Prime minister Ali Khan went onto paid a state visit to United States, taking the largest diplomatic and military convey with him, a clear rebuff to Soviet Union.[13] According to studies completed by Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA), the real motives, goals and objectives, were to an economic and technical assistance. "There are important divergences of outlook between Pakistan, with its Islamic background, and the Soviet Union with its background of Marxism which is atheistic. ... Pakistan had noticed the subservience which was forced upon the allies of the Soviet Union. ... Furthermore, there was the question whether Russia could supply the aid, both material and technical, which Pakistan so urgently needed..." PIIA noted.[13]

The relations suffered setback when members of Communist Party led by communist Faiz Ahmad Faiz, sponsored by Major-General Akbar Khan, hatched a coup d'état against Prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan in 1950 (See Rawalpindi conspiracy case).[13] Soon, three years after, Prime minister Liaqat Ali Khan assassinated while campaigning for his electoral term. During 1954–58, the relations were strained and hostility against each other as time passes. In 1954, Pakistan became a member of SEATO and CENTO in 1955, which Soviet Union did not welcome, overtly opting the Pro-Indian policy and regarding the Kashmir as part of India.[8] As a result of 1954–55 elections, Prime minister Huseyn Suhrawardy, a left-wing prime minister, made deliberate attempts to improve relations. On March–April 1954, a delegation of the Soviet cultural troupe toured Pakistan and a festival of the Soviet films was held in Karachi.[8] To reciprocate this, the Pakistan Government also sent a delegation to study the Soviet industrial and agricultural development In 1956, Soviet premier Nikolai Bulganin offered technical and scientific assistance to Prime minister Suhrawardy for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, offering Soviet contribution after Suhrawardy submitted the plan to established the nuclear power against India. In 1958, Soviet Union agreed to give Pakistan an handful in aid in agriculture, economic, science, control of pest, flood control, desalination, soil erosion and technical assistance to Pakistan.[8] In 1958, Pakistan and Soviet Union finally established an oil consortium, Pakistan Oilfields, and expressing interests in establishing the country's first steel mills.[8]

Military dictatorships (1958–1971)

In July 1957, Prime minister Suhrawardy approved the leasing of the secret ISI installation, Peshawar Air Station, to CIA.[14] After commencing the military coup d'état against President Iskander Mirza, Army Commander Ayub Khan visited the United States, further enhancing relations with the U.S. while at same time, trying establishing link with Soviet Union through Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.[14]

Pakistan felt deceived because the U.S. had kept her in the dark about such clandestine spy operations launched from Pakistan’s territory

— General K.M. Arif, Chief of Army Staff., [15]

The U-2 incident worsened relations between the Soviet Union and Pakistan.[16] General Khalid Mahmud Arif, former chief of army staff, wrote of the incident that, "Pakistan felt deceived because the U.S. had kept her in the dark about such clandestine spy operations launched from Pakistan’s territory".[17]

The Soviet Union paid back its revenge on Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, emerged as the biggest supplier of military hardware to India.[18] India on other hand, distanced from the Western countries, developed close relations with the Soviet Union.[18] Soviet Union and India used the diplomacy, convincing the U.S. and Western powers to keep a ban on Pakistan's military and hardware.[19] After the 1965 war, the arms race between India and Pakistan became even more asymmetric and India was outdistancing Pakistan by far.[20]

Relations with West and East Pakistan

The Soviet Union had far more better relations with East-Pakistan (Now Bangladesh), and had strong ties with Communist Party after successfully staging the protest (see Bengali Language Movement) to give national recognition to the language as compare to Urdu in 1956 constitution.[21] The Communist Party had ensure the complete elimination of Pakistan Muslim League once and for all, leading the collapse of central government of Pakistan Muslim League in the federal government.[21] The tendency of democracy and the Anti-American sentiment was greater in East-Pakistan, which highly benefited the Soviet Union in 1971.[15] When the mutual defence treaty, following the arrival of military advsers from the MAAG group, which was announced in February 1954, there was a great outcry in East-Pakistan. Many demonstrations, led by communist party were held and the 162 newly elected members of East-Pakistan Parliament signed a statement, which denounced Pakistan's government for signing a military pact with United States.[15]

In West-Pakistan, the Soviet relations had improved after the formation of leading democratic socialist Pakistan Peoples Party.[14] The tendency of socialism was greater in West Pakistan, in contrast to East Pakistan were the tendency of communism was at its height.[14] After the 1965 war, Soviet relations with socialist mass, Awami National Party, Pakistan People's Party, and the Pakistan Socialist Party, impulsively improved. In 1972, the West-Pakistan Parliament passed the resolution which called for establishing ties with Soviet Union.[14] During the 1980s when the purged took place under the Zia regime, the socialists members escaped to the Soviet Union through Afghanistan, seeking the political asylum there.[14]

Role in Indo-Pakistani war of 1971

The Soviet Union played a decisive role in the 1971 Winter war, first signing the Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.[22] The Soviet Union sympathized with the Bangladeshis, and supported the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini during the war, recognizing that the independence of Bangladesh would weaken the position of its rivals—the United States, Saudi Arabia, and China.[22]

On 6 December and 13 December 1971, the Soviet Navy dispatched two groups of cruisers and destroyers and a nuclear submarine armed with nuclear missiles from Vladivostok;[22] they trailed U.S. Task Force 74 into the Indian Ocean from 18 December 1971 until 7 January 1972. The Soviets also had a nuclear submarine to help ward off the threat posed to India by USS Enterprise task force in the Indian Ocean.[23][24] The Soviet Navy's presence was threatening for Pakistan, with the Soviet nuclear submarines' K-320 and Charlie, movements were picked up by the Pakistan Navy's submarines.[22] The Pakistan Navy's submarines Ghazi, Hangor, and Mangor had sent solid evidence of Soviet Navy's covert involvement helping the Indian Navy, and Soviet Navy's own secret operations against the Pakistan Navy.[22] Pakistan Navy avoided aggressive contacts with the Soviet Navy due to possible nuclear retaliation by Soviet nuclear submarines in Karachi.[22] In 2012, at an official press release in the Russian Consulate-General Karachi, the Russian ambassador remarked that the former Soviet stance against Pakistan in 1971 did "somewhat embarrassed our relations".[25]

Democratic government (1971–1977)
Main articles: Soviet Contribution to Pakistan Steel Mills, Nationalization in Pakistan, and 1977 Pakistani coup d'état
Map showing Distance from Peshawer to Moscow.

The democratic socialist alliance led by then-Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto made an effort to improve relations with the Soviet Union, and for the first time in Pakistani history, the Soviet Union's ties with Pakistan began to warm and relations were quickly improved. Reviving his foreign policy, Bhutto relieved Pakistan from SEATO and CENTO, breaking off the relations with the United States under President Jimmy Carter. In 1974, Bhutto paid a tiring and lengthy state visit to Soviet Union, becoming the first prime minister since the independence of Pakistan in 1947. Bhutto and his delegation was met with great jubilation, a warm-heated celebration took place after Bhutto was received by Alexei Kosygin in Moscow.[26] The honorary guard of honor was bestowed by the Soviet Armed Forces, and strong interaction was made during Bhutto's democratic era.[26] Bhutto also met with Leonid Brezhnev where Pakistan reached agreements with Soviet Union on mutual trust, cooperation, technical assistance, and friendship.[27]

While there, Bhutto succeeded to convince the Soviet Union to establish the integrated steel mills, which prompted the Soviet Union to provide funds for the billion dollar project.[28] Prime Minister Bhutto made a deliberate attempt to warm relations with Russia as he was trying to improve relations with the Communist bloc.[28] Bhutto sought to develop and alleviate the Soviet-Pak Relations, as the Soviet Union established Pakistan Steel Mills in 1972.[29] The foundation stone for this gigantic project was laid on 30 December 1973 by the then Prime minister Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. Facing inexperience for the erection work of the integrated steel mill, Bhutto requested Soviet Union to send its experts.[29] Soviet Union sends dozens of advisors and experts, under Russian scientist Mikhail Koltokof, who supervised the construction of this integrated Steel Mills, with a number of industrial and consortium companies financing this mega-project.[29]

During the 1973 till 1979, Soviet Union and Pakistan enjoyed a strong relationship with each other which also benefited the Soviet Union.[28] This interaction was short lived after popular unrest began to take place after the 1977 elections.[30] With United States support, the CIA-sponsored operation codenamed Fair Play removed Bhutto from power in 1977. The Soviet relations with Pakistan deteriorated on April 4, 1979, when Bhutto was executed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.[30] Earlier, Leonid Brezhnev, Alexei Kosygin, and other members of the Politburo had sent repeated calls for clemency to CMLA General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq who forcefully rejected the Soviet requests.[30] Breznev maintained the issue of Bhutto was Pakistan's internal matter but did not wish to see him executed. When Bhutto was hanged, Brezhnev condemned the act out of "purely humane motives".[30]

Military dictatorship (1977–1988)
Communist Afghanistan: Map showing areas involving heavy fighting. Note: Areas adjacent to Balochistan province are remained untouched (white region, south) from the fighting while the NWFP (north-west) inflicted with heavy fighting.

Shortly after the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan, military ruler General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq called for a meeting of senior military members and technocrats of his military government.[31] At this meeting, General Zia-ul-Haq asked the Chief of Army Staff General Khalid Mahmud Arif (veteran of 1965 and 1971 war) and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Muhammad Shariff (who was made POW by India during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971) to lead a specialized civil-military team to formulate a geo-strategy to counter the Soviet aggression.[31] At this meeting, the Director-General of the ISI at that time, Lieutenant-General Akhtar Abdur Rahman advocated for an idea of covert operation in Afghanistan by arming the Islamic extremist, and was loudly heard saying: "Kabul must burn! Kabul must burn!".[31] As for Pakistan, the Soviet war with Islamist mujaheddin was a complete revenge in retaliation for the Soviet Union's long unconditional support of regional rival, India, notably during the 1965 and the 1971 wars, which led the loss of East Pakistan.[31]

In 1980, the relationship took a dangerous turn, when Soviet press, notable "Pravda" and other Soviet commentators, began to issue threatening statements towards Pakistan.[32] Soviet Commentator, V Baikov, went far enough to say: The axis of United States and China, is trying to secure a base for its rapid deployment force, presumable offering F-16 fighter plans in that view."[32] Another Soviet commentator "threateningly" asked Pakistan that "If she (Pakistan) thought about where the United States was pulling it in its hostilities with Afghanistan; their aggression was taking place in the vicinity of the USSR".[32] In February 1980, a delegation of TASS in New York City maintains that, "One can see the contours of dangerous plans aimed at Pakistan's arch rivals— India, Soviet Union, and Afghanistan.[32] The change of administration in 1980 and immediate verbal threat of Soviet Union to Pakistan, brought the United States and Pakistan on a six-year trade, economic and military agreement, valuing approximately ~32.5 billions US dollars.[32]

The U.S. viewed the conflict in Afghanistan as an integral Cold War struggle, and the CIA provided assistance to anti-Soviet forces through the ISI, in a program called Operation Cyclone.[33][34] The siphoning off of aid weapons, in which the weapons logistics and coordination were put under the Pakistan Navy in the port city of Karachi, contributed to disorder and violence there, while heroin entering from Afghanistan to pay for arms contributed to addiction problems.[35] The Pakistan Navy coordinated the foreign weapons into Afghanistan, while some of its high-ranking admirals were responsible for storing the weapons in the Navy logistics depot, later coordinated the weapons supply to Mujaheddin, out of complete revenge of Pakistan Navy's brutal loss and defeat at the hands of the Soviet backed Indian Navy in 1971.[31]

In November 1982, General Zia attended the funeral, in Moscow, of Leonid Brezhnev, the late General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko and new Secretary General Yuri Andropov met with Zia there. Andropov expressed indignation over Pakistan's covert support of the Afghan resistance against the Soviet Union and its satellite state, Communist Afghanistan. Zia took his hand and assured him, "General Secretary, believe me, Pakistan wants nothing but very good relations with the Soviet Union".[36] According to Gromyko, Zia's sincerity convinced them, but Zia's actions didn't live up to his words.[36] Ironically, Zia directly dealt with the Israel, working to build covert relations with Israel, allowing the country to actively participate in Soviet–Afghan War. Helped by ISI, the Mossad channeled Soviet reversed engineered weapons to Afghanistan.[37] In Charlie Wilson's own word, Zia reported to have remarked to Israeli intelligence service: "Just don't put any stars of David on the boxes".[37]

Democratic governments (1989–1991)
Mothers of Soviet soldiers meeting at the Pakistani Embassy, Moscow appealing to the Bhutto government for rescuing Soviet soldiers from captivity. It was not until 1992 when the Sharif government released the details of soldiers.

Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) authorized further aggressive military operations in Afghanistan to topple the fragile communist regime and to end the Soviet influence.[38] One of her military authorizations was a military action in Jalalabad of Afghanistan in retaliation for the Soviet Union's long unconditional support of India, a proxy war in Pakistan, and Pakistan's loss in 1971 war.[38] This operation was "a defining moment for her [Benazir's] government" to prove the loyalty to Pakistan Armed Forces.[38] This operation planned by then-Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant-General Hamid Gul, with inclusion of U.S. ambassador to Pakistan Robert Oakley.[38] Known as Battle of Jalalabad, it was intended to gain a conventional victory on Soviet Union after Soviet Union had withdrawn its troops. But the operation failed miserably and the Afghan army supported by Soviet scuds won the battle resulting in ISI chief being sacked by the Prime Minister[38]

At the end of years of Cold War, Soviet Union announced to establish a 1 GW commercial nuclear power plant in Pakistan, but after witnessing its aging technology Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, later followed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, did not authorize the purchase and showed little interest in aging Soviet technology.[38]

In 1992, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif released the details and company of Soviet soldiers to the Russian government when Alexander Rutskoy visited the country, after meeting in a committee led by Deputy Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shahryar Khan.[39]

Relations with the Russian Federation: 1991-present

Pakistan—Russian Federation relations
17 Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya street Moscow, Russia, where the Embassy of Pakistan located.

After the Soviet Union troop withdrawal withdrawing the combatant troops from Communist Afghanistan, relations began to normalize with Pakistan. In the wake of fall of communism, Russian-Pakistan relations were warmed rapidly. In 1989, Soviet ambassador to Pakistan offered Pakistan to install a commercial nuclear power plant in the country, however after U.S. intervention, the plans were sent into cold storage. In 1994–95, Benazir Bhutto attempted to warm relations with Russia but suffered a major setback when Benazir Bhutto's government recognized Taliban-controlled government in Afghanistan as legitimate entity. In 1996, Russia willingly agreed to launch Pakistan's second satellite, Badr-B, from its Baikonur Cosmodrome for the lowest possible charges.

Pervez Musharraf shakes hands with Vladimir Putin (left), 2002.

In 1997, Prime minister Nawaz Sharif attempted to warm relations with Russia after sending farewell messages to Russian Federation. In 1998, although Russia congratulated India for conducting second nuclear tests, (see Pokhran-II), Russia did not immediately criticize Pakistan for performing its nuclear tests (see Chagai-I and Chagai-II) by the weekend of May 1998. In April 1999, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid an important state visit to Kremlin, this was the first trip to Moscow paid by a Pakistani Prime minister in 25 years, but no breakthrough was made.[40] In 1999, Russia welcomed Pakistan and India for making a breakthrough in their relations with the Lahore Declaration but vehemently criticized Pakistan for holding it responsible for the outbreak of Indo-Pakistani War of 1999. Meanwhile, Russia played a major role in ending the war but remained hostile towards Pakistan.

Russia condemned the 1999 Pakistani coup d'état against Nawaz Sharif that removed Sharif from power. On 19 April 2001, the Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Losyukov paid a state visit to Pakistan, and both countries agreed to co-operate in economic development and to work towards peace and prosperity in the region.[41] In the wake of September 11, 2001 attacks, the relations were warmed rapidly when Pakistan denounced the Taliban and joined the NATO coalition to hunt down jihadist organizations and al-Qaeda. The decision of Pakistan to join the international struggle against terrorism has led to Russia-Pakistan relations being greatly improved. Russia also played an integral role to ease off the nuclear 2001 Indo-Pakistan tensions.

Pakistan also decided to grant Russia access to the Gwadar Port, a warm water sea port as has done to both Iran and Turkmenistan.[42]

Public opinion

Due to rapidly shifting global geopolitical interests spurred by the end of the Cold War and the ongoing U.S.-led War on Terror, Pakistani public opinion towards Russia has fluctuated in recent years, with 18% viewing Russia favorably in 2007, falling to 11% in 2011 and rising to 20% in 2012,[43] and according to the BBC World Service Poll, 9% of Pakistanis view Russian influence positively in 2010,[44] 14% in 2011,[45] falling to 12% in 2012,[46] and increasing to 18% in 2013.[47]

However, Pakistanis have generally rated Vladimir Putin's leadership poorly, with 7% expressing confidence in him in 2006, and only 3% in 2012,[48] and for the most part, a plurality of Russians have consistently rated Pakistan's influence negatively, with 13% expressing a positive view in 2008,[49] increasing slightly to 14% in 2010,[44] and falling to 8% in 2013.[47]

Improvement in relations

We must know where we deceived ourselves to avoid being deceived again.... Russia is one of our closest neighbors... And (could) be an important partner.

— Ardeshir Cowasjee and Dawn News, Cited source[50]
Dmitry Medvedev (right) meeting Asif Zardari (left) in 2010.

Russia vowed its support for Pakistan in its struggle against the Taliban militants. In 2007, the relations between Pakistan and the Russian Federation were reactivated after the 3-day official visit of Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. He was the first Russian prime minister to visit Pakistan in the post Soviet-era in 38 years. He had "in-depth discussions" with President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Dmitry Medvedev engaged in conversation with Asif Zardari, 2010.

The major focus of the visit was to improve bilateral relations with particular emphasis on ways and means to enhance economic cooperation between the two countries. Under the Presidency of Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani, relations between Pakistan and Russia have improved significantly. In 2010, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia stated that Russia was against developing strategic and military ties with Pakistan because of Russian desire to place emphasis on strategic ties with India.[51]

Hina Kharr meeting with Russian deputy foreign minister A.N. Borodavkin, 2012.

In 2011, Russia changed its policy and Putin publicly endorsed Pakistans bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and said that Pakistan was a very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia. Putin offered Russia's assistance in expansion of Pakistan Steel Mills and provision of technical support for the Guddu and Muzaffargarh power plants and Russia was interested in developing the Thar Coal Project[52] In 2011, Russia strongly condemned the NATO strike in Pakistan and the Russian foreign minister stated it is unacceptable to violate the sovereignty of a state, even when planning and carrying out counter-insurgent operations.[53] In 2012, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced to pay a state visit to Pakistan soon after his re-election, later he cancelled it, citing other crucial engagement.[54] To offset the diplomatic setback caused by this unexpected cancellation of much-anticipated visit, Putin's sent his Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.[55]

Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief general Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Moscow from October 4 for three-day official visit. Where he was received warmly by Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukovand Russian Ground Forces Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) Colonel General Vladimir Chirkin.[56]

On 5-August-2013 Colonel General Vladimir Chirkin visited Pakistan where he was received by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The two generals discussed matters of mutual interest with emphasis on improving defence cooperation, army-to-army relations the security situation in the region, especially in Afghanistan post 2014.[57]

In a press conference, the ambassador of Russia has agreed to sell helicopters to Pakistan to assist the country with terrorism and security related issues. Russia was still holding talks with Pakistan on the supply of the combat helicopters, and had lifted its embargo on the arms supply to Pakistan. "Such a decision has been taken. We are holding talks on supplying the helicopters," head of state-owned Rostec, Sergei Chemezov said, adding that the negotiations were about Russian Mi-35 Hind attack helicopters. Russia has long been the largest supplier of arms to India, which is the world's top arms buyer. But Moscow's move to supply Islamabad came as New Delhi is seeking to modernise its armed forces' ageing hardware and has recently chosen to buy arms from Israel, France, Britain and the United States.

Pakistan and Russia wrapped up their first strategic dialogue on 31-August-2013. At the talks held at the foreign secretaries' level in Moscow, the Pakistani side was led by Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani and Russia's First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Georgiyevich Titov led his side. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov also participated in the consultations. The dialogue, the Foreign Office says, lays an institutional framework for building closer relations between the two countries through discussions for cooperation in political, economic, defence and other sectors. The two sides exchanged views on regional and international developments. Broadly, Pakistan and Russia agreed for more high-level contacts, closely coordinating positions on regional and international issues, and expanding trade and investment relations and cooperation in the field of energy and power generation.[58] In July 2015 The COAS General Raheel Sharif paid a visit to Russia where he was received by the military leadership of Russia at Kremlin. This was the 1st visit of An COAS to Russia. He was given a Guard of Honour and while laying wreath at the Tomb of Unknown Soldier the National Anthem of Pakistan was played. This was seen as an improvement in ties as Russia's longtime ally India moved towards US. Pakistan, Russia signs a landmark defence deal in 2015. This deal includes sale of four Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ attack helicopters to Pakistan. Russia is also interested in joining CPEC, which will benefit CPEC and strengthen Pakistan's economy. Another deal in 2015 includes Russia to invest $2bn in project of constructing North-South gas pipeline, first phase of which is expected to conclude by Dec 2017.

Economic and geopolitical convergence
President Putin meets Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif

In 1990, Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan sent a fare well message to Moscow in an attempt to set up the economic coordination between the two countries.[59] In 1991, Benazir Bhutto headed ahigh-level economic delegation to Central Asia and Russia after the collapse of Soviet Union.[59]

Senior military officials and Defence Attaché of Pakistan and Russia, jointly working together at the communications tent at a Nigerian Air Force Base.

In 2003, the bilateral trade between Russia and Pakistan reached to 92 million US dollar, which increased to 411.4 million in 2006.[25] The bilateral trade between each country reached to 630 million in 2008 and ~400 million in 2009.[25] During this following year, both countries established the "Russian–Pakistan Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation to cooperation in science and technology and education.[25]

In 2011, Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani and Vladimir Putin held a frank discussion in a cordial atmosphere on the 10th Heads of Government meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.[60] Russia is currently financing the mega-energy project, CASA-1000, transmitting power generation from Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan; Russia has provided 500Mn US dollars for the CASA-1000 power transmission project.[60] In 2011, both countries initiated the work on the framework n the proposed Free Trade Agreement and currency swap arrangement to boost bilateral trade and further strengthen their economic ties.[60]

In 2012, Russia and Pakistan have covertly developed geopolitical and strategic relations behind the scenes of world politics for the last two years, as Stephen Blank of Strategic Studies Institute maintained.[60] As the NATO-led ISAF and the US Forces, Afghanistan Command, is planning to depart Afghanistan in 2014, the Russian Federation came to a conclusion that Pakistan is a crucial player in Afghanistan and that, as NATO withdraws, it becomes all the more urgent for Moscow to seek some sort of modus vivendi with Islamabad.[60]

In November 2019, Pakistan decided to solve a Soviet-era trade dispute with Russia, in which the Pakistani government should pay $93.5 million to Russia within 90 days. The settlement would pave the way for Russia to invest over $8 billion in Pakistan.[61]

Military cooperation

Increasing military cooperation between Islamabad and Moscow would not negatively impact Russia's ties with India, Ryabkov said in 2015, adding that Pak-Russia ties were improving in other sectors as well—including energy.[62]

Russian Army War Games 2015

Pakistan Army actively participated in Russian Army War Games 2015 held in Russian Far east. Pakistan was also among the 6 countries that took part in Master of The Air Defense Battle Competition besides Russia, China, Egypt, Venezuela and Belarus.[63]

"Friendship" exercises

The first annual joint exercise between the Russian military and the Pakistan Army took place under the name "Friendship 2016". 70 Russians and 130 Pakistanis took part in the exercise, held from 24 September to 10 October 2016, in Cherat, in Pakistan's north-western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.[64] India had unsuccessfully asked Russia to call off the exercise as a gesture of "solidarity" following the 18 September 2016 militant attack on an Indian Army base, which the government of India had blamed on the government of Pakistan.[65]

Diplomatic Relations

Russia maintains an embassy in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, and Pakistan has an embassy in Moscow in Russia

Cultural exchanges
Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Karachi

The world's first bilingual Urdu-Russian dictionary was compiled and launched by Pakistan-based Russian scholar Dr. Tashmirza Khalmirzaev in 2012 at a ceremony in Islamabad. Khalmirzaev said the dictionary aimed to "help speakers of both languages come closer." He also added that a new era was dawning in Pakistan's relationship with Russia and other Central Asian states and encouraged the government of Pakistan to continue work in promoting Urdu in Russia and Central Asia.[66]

Ideologies

On 13 January 2013, a poll in seven countries managed by the Washington Post, to see whether the people of those seven countries prefer democratic government or one with a "strong" leader.[67] Most Russian and Pakistanis voted that "they prefer a "strong ruler" over democracy."[67]

Literature and art
See also: Urdu literature

The Pakistani literature, both in English and Urdu, is widely popular in Russia. Many of Faiz Ahmad Faiz's drama work, poetry, and literature work has been translated in Russian language.[68] The Lenin Peace Prize, a Soviet equivalent of Nobel Peace Prize, helped lift Faiz's image even higher in the international community.[68] The Russian government honored Faiz with one of the prestigious award, Lenin Prize, and Russian government dubbed him as "our poet" after his death.[69]

The dramatist and playwright, Anwar Maqsood's work has been well received in Russia and majority of his dramas have been translated and opted in Russian dramas and writes.[70] Russian writer, Anton Chekhov, is widely celebrated in Pakistan.[71] The Karachi University has a Karachi Russian Culture Centre that is completely dedicated to the various Russian writers.[72] In 2010, the Punjab University laid the foundation of Russian cultural centre in Lahore as well.[72] In 2010, Russian Culture Centre in Karachi in collaboration with the National Academy of Performing Arts staged Chekhov's play "The Proposal" at the occasion.[72]

  • Russian Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Serguei N. Peskov (left) in Pakistan, 2007.
  • President Putin meeting with his counterpart President Musharraf in 2003.
  • President Zardari holds hands with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev and leaders of the Former Soviet states.
  • President Zardari engaging in conversation with President Medvedev, 2011.
gollark: Half the new stuff doesn't work for it, and you miss out on a lot, but also the old things you now need haven't migrated.
gollark: I guess 1.12.2 is the new 1.7.10.
gollark: Troubling.
gollark: Can it do scrölling nicely?
gollark: Hmm, this "shapescape" thing is extremely impressive. I did not think you could actually practically make UIs like that in CC.

See also
  • Kharotabad Incident when four Russian nationals were shot dead by members of the Pakistani paramilitary. It occurred in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
  • Akhlas Akhlaq, a Russian citizen born to a Pakistani father and who was arrested and executed in Pakistan on terrorism charges under mysterious circumstances and unproven allegations.
  • List of ambassadors of Russia to Pakistan

References
  1. Speech of H.E. Mr. Sergey Peskov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the Jubilee Function on the occasion of celebration of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Pakistan – Official Website of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Archived 2012-04-02 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Desk, Central News (2018-05-01). "Pak - Russia Diplomatic Relations: "A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself"". Dispatch News Desk. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
  3. "Russia, Pakistan conduct first-ever joint military drills (PHOTOS)". RT.
  4. "Russia and Pakistan to hold first joint military exercise". Asia Times. Reuters. 23 September 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  5. "Pakistan, Russia sign agreement for construction of North-South gas pipeline". Dawn. 16 October 2015.
  6. "North-South pipeline: Pakistan, Russia reach LNG price accord". The Express Tribune. 1 December 2016.
  7. "Russia and Pakistan slowly move towards an embrace". Al Jazeera.
  8. Adnan Ali Shah. "Pakistan-Soviet Union Relations". Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad. Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 26 February 2012.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  9. Shahid M. Aminv, (Former Pakistan Ambassador to Soviet Union) (October 17, 2010). "The foreign policy of Liaquat Ali Khan". The Dawn Newspaper, October 17, 2010. Retrieved 31 January 2012.
  10. Zaidi, Mujtaba Haider. "Pak-Russia Relations and Terrorism" The Frontier Post Newspaper, June 05, 2013
  11. "The Frontier Post, Pakistan, Peshawar". Archived from the original on 18 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  12. Hilali, A.Z. (June 30, 2005). US-Pakistan Relationship: Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan. U.S. and U.K (Multiple places): Ashgate Pub Co (June 30, 2005). p. 304. ISBN 978-0-7546-4220-6.
  13. Ardeshir Cowasjee (13 March 2011). "A recap of Soviet-Pakistan relations". Dawn Newspaper, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (1950). Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  14. Ali, Syed Amjad (1992). Glimpses. Lahore, Punjab Province, mjad Ali, the Pakistan ambassador to the US at the time, narrated in his book "Glimpses" (Lahore: Jang Publisher's, 1992) that the personal assistant of Suhrawardy advised embassy staff of the Prime Minister's agreement to the US facility on Pakistan soil.: Jang Publishers, 1992. OCLC 29955219.CS1 maint: location (link)
  15. Hamid Hussain. "Tale of a love affair that never was: United States-Pakistan Defence Relations". Defence Journal of Pakistan. Hamid Hussain, 2002. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  16. Mujtaba Haider Zaidi (June 5, 2013). "Pak-Russia relations and terrorism". The Frontier Post. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013.
  17. Arif, Khalid Mahmud (2001). Khaki Shadows: Pakistan 1947–1997. Oxford University Press. p. 395. ISBN 978-0-19-579396-3.
  18. Sharma, Ram (1999). India-USSR relations. U.S.: Discovery Publishing House. ISBN 81-7141-486-9.
  19. Duncan, Peter (1989). The Soviet Union and India. Routledge, 1989. ISBN 0-415-00212-5.
  20. Zeev, Moa (1999). Paradoxes of War: On the Art of National Self-Entrapment. Routledge, 1990. ISBN 0-04-445113-X.
  21. Kazmi, Muhammad Raza (2003). Liaquat Ali Khan: his life and work. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press, 2003. p. 354. ISBN 978-0-19-579788-6.
  22. "1971 India Pakistan War: Role of Russia, China, America and Britain". The World Reporter. Retrieved 2011-10-30.
  23. "Cold war games". Bharat Rakshak. Archived from the original on 2006-09-15. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  24. Birth of a nation. Indianexpress.com (2009-12-11). Retrieved on 2011-04-14.
  25. "RUSSIAN – PAKISTANI RELATIONS". Consulate-General of The Russian Federation In Karachi. Consulate-General of The Russian Federation In Karachi. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2012.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
  26. DOc Kazi. "Bhutto's arrival in Russia". DOc Kazi. Retrieved 26 February 2012.
  27. DOc Kazi. "ZAB with Leonid Brezhnev". DOc Kazi.
  28. Malik, Rashid Ahmad (15 October 2010). "Warming Ties With Russia". The Foreign Intelligence of News Intertional. Rashid Ahmad Malk of The News International. Retrieved 2011. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  29. (PSM), Pakistan Steel Mills. "Pakistan Steel: Our History". Pakistan Steel Mills. Pakistan Steel Mills. Retrieved 2011. Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  30. Kamminga, Menno T. (1992). Inter-State Accountability of Violation of Human Rights. University of Pennsylvania, U.S.: University of Pennsylvania Press. pp. 19–198. ISBN 0-8122-3176-7.
  31. Yousaf, PA, Brigadier General (retired) Mohammad (1991). Silent soldier: the man behind the Afghan jehad General Akhtar Abdur Rahman. Karachi, Sindh: Jang Publishers, 1991. pp. 106 pages.
  32. Riccioppi, Linda (1994). "USSR and Pakistan relations". Soviet Policy towards South Asia in 1970 (google books). United States: Cambridge University Press, 1994. pp. 136–199. ISBN 0-521-41457-1. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
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  34. "1986–1992: CIA and British Recruit and Train Militants Worldwide to Help Fight Afghan War". History Commons. Archived from the original on September 12, 2008. Retrieved January 9, 2007.
  35. Kepel, Jihad, (2002), p.143–44
  36. Hyman, Anthony; Ghayur, Muhammed; Kaushik, Naresh (1989). Pakistan, Zia and After--. New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. pp. 35–36. ISBN 81-7017-253-5.
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  43. Pakistani Opinion of Russia Pew Research Global Opinion Project
  44. 2010 BBC World Service Poll Archived 2013-06-04 at the Wayback Machine BBC
  45. 2011 BBC World Service Poll Archived 2012-11-23 at the Wayback Machine BBC
  46. 2012 BBC World Service Poll Archived 2013-04-21 at the Wayback Machine BBC
  47. 2013 BBC World Service Poll Archived 2013-09-26 at the Wayback Machine BBC
  48. "Pakistan: Confidence in Putin – Indicators Database – Pew Research Center". Pew Research Center's Global Attitudes Project. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
  49. 2008 BBC World Service Poll Archived 2012-10-21 at the Wayback Machine BBC
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  52. APP. "Russia endorses full SCO membership for Pakistan". Retrieved 26 April 2016.
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  59. Ahmad, Sultan. "If Pakistan is the gateway to Central Asia". Sultan Ahmad. If Pakistan is the gateway to Central Asia. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  60. APP (November 8, 2011). "Pakistan, Russia to go for FTA, currency swap agreement". Tribune Express. Retrieved 19 August 2012.
  61. "Pakistan settles Soviet-era trade dispute with Russia". The Express Tribune. 7 November 2019.
  62. Regional Posts, September 13, 2015">APP (September 13, 2015). "Pak-Russia talks on delivery of Su-35, Mi-35s underway". Regional posts. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  63. App, Sputniknews (2 August 2015). "Six Nations To Compete In Master of Air Defense Battle at Army Games". sputniknews.
  64. Jagtiani, Ashini (2017). "Russia-Pakistan Military Cooperation: A Tectonic Shift?". IndraStra Global (1): 2.
  65. Bedi, Rahul (5 October 2016). "Russia presses on with first ever joint exercise with Pakistan". IHS Jane's Defence Weekly. 53 (40): 6.
  66. Zulfiqar, Qaiser (2 August 2012). "Bridging cultural borders: First-ever Urdu-Russian dictionary launched". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  67. Max Fisher (January 11, 2013). "Most Russians and Pakistanis say they prefer a 'strong ruler' over democracy". Washington Post. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  68. Asif Farrukhi (17 February 2011). "Among his contemporaries". Dawn Newspapers, 17 February 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
  69. Rizwan (PhD; Biological sciences), Riz (2008). In English: Faiz Ahmad Faiz; A renowned Urdu poet. Chicago, Illinois: Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 978-1-4363-7313-5.
  70. Salahuddin Haider (April 14, 2012). "Anwar Maqsood's genius, Hamara Karachi and Russian reception". Pakistan Observer, Anwar Maqsood’s genius, Hamara Karachi and Russian reception Karachi Diary. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  71. News Desk. "Dunya news documentary on Chekov". Television Series on Chekov. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  72. Staff report (February 25, 2010). "PU commemorates Anton Chekhov's birth anniversary". Daily Times, 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2013.

Further reading
  • Azad, Tahir. “Pakistan-Russia Strategic Partnership: New Horizons for Cooperation,” Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, Issue Brief, December 26, 2016, online
  • Khan, Muhammad Taimur Fahad. "Pakistan’s Foreign Policy towards Russia." Strategic Studies 39.3 (2019): 89-104. online
  • Khan, Taimur. “Pakistan’s Growing Relations with Russia: Factoring in the Role of the US,” Strategic Studies 38, no. 2 (Summer 2018), online
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